Strava routes on your Garmin Edge – the easier way …

Up until a few days ago, transferring a route created in Strava to your Garmin Edge cycle computer was a painful task. This was disappointing since Strava is very good for creating interesting routes, exploiting its colossal database of popular segments.

Previously you had to export the Strava route as a gpx file, connect your Garmin unit physically to a computer via USB, and then copy the gpx file into the newfiles folder on your Edge unit. This would then be imported as a course when you next turned on the device.

This isn’t too bad if you have a computer to hand, but without one it was next to impossible to get that Strava route to your Garmin device.

Strava has come to the rescue creating an IQ app called Strava Routes, that was released last week. The application needs to be installed via Garmin Connect on your smartphone and will work with most recent units: the Garmin Edge 520, 820, 1000 and the new 1030, plus of course any newer models.

Installing the app and getting it working the first time is a little convoluted, but from then on it’s straightforward:

Make sure your Garmin unit is switched on and has a connection to your smartphone;

Open Connect IQ Store from Garmin Connect on your smartphone:

Search for Strava Routes and download and install it – the app will sync across to your connected Edge unit:

Now open the newly installed Strava Routes app (b) on your Garmin unit from tapping on the IQ button (a) on the home screen:

Garmin Connect on your smartphone will now prompt you to sign into your Strava account:

Simply tap on a route to see a brief summary and an option to Navigate Route:

Selecting Navigate Route will download the route and prompt you to launch the course with one of your activity profiles:

The route will also now be saved as a course for you to follow any time in the future.

Unfortunately there doesn’t seem to be any way to create routes in the mobile app itself. Although you can using the desktop version of Strava on your smartphone or tablet. I’ve use my tablet to create routes when I’ve been away from a PC, and now it’s easy to sync them across to my Edge 1000.

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Comments

Hi Gidon, good piece thanks. One thing confuses me. I use routes created by friends on Strava by converting their rides to a Strava Route using the wrench (spanner) button on the strava website. When i go to use the route, I don’t want to cycle to my mates front door to start the ride. When i press Navigate Route, the Garmin gives me the option to ‘Navigate to Start of Route’… If i hit NO it seems to give up on navigating the route completely,If i hit YES it directs me to my mates front door! What am i doing wrong?

Also, the Start button flashes on the screen. So i hit the button on the Garmin and again it gives up on navigating!

I always choose “Navigate to start of Route” and Yes I get the flashing start icon for short while.. Previously I have to perfrom a factory reset incl delete data, reinstall maps ( takes 39 mins) and finally ensured I covert GPX to TCX (as recommended by Garmin Support) . Thereafter, you get the turn by turn navigation.

Hi
Is the iPhone not compatible with the Garmin Edge 1030 ?
I’m trying to transfer a strave route to my Garmin Edge 1030 and it’s telling me I need an update for my Garmin Edge 1030 first and it’s recommending I use Garmin Express, then it tells me this isn’t compatible with my OS !!

Gidon’s obsession with technology began at an early age with a BBC B Micro computer. After working for 12 years at British Telecom travelling around the world as a technology researcher he opened a technology retail store in Tavistock in Devon, selling the latest tech and offering IT services to residential and business customers. Read More…

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